The Dressage Foundation is pleased to announce Lauren Sprieser and C. Cadeau as the recipients of the new $15,000 Carol Lavell Developing Dressage Prize.
The Carol Lavell Developing Dressage Prize was established in 2024 to help support a pipeline of international-level riders and horses in the United States. The purpose of this $15,000 grant is to provide financial assistance for the training and competition of horse and rider teams competing at small tour or USEF 7-Year-Old Test.
Photo by Susan J Stickle
Lauren Sprieser (VA) and the nine-year-old Danish Warmblood gelding, C. Cadeau, owned by the Elvis Syndicate LLC, have had a successful year in the show ring. In August, the pair were reserve champions in the USEF Intermediaire I National Championship at the U.S. Dressage Festival of Champions. Lauren is a USDF gold, silver, and bronze medalist with distinction. With this grant, Lauren will train with Olympian Ali Brock in Florida.
Lauren said, “It is an unreal privilege to ride a horse like Cadeau, and I’m beyond thrilled to have won this Prize. I worked for Carol as a young professional, and I know she’d be proud of what a soft, compassionate rider Cadeau is helping me become. I will put these funds to great use, continuing to work with Ali Brock toward international Grand Prix competition. I am so grateful for the support of The Dressage Foundation, and to Cadeau’s owners, The Elvis Syndicate, for believing in us."
Carol Lavell achieved excellence in all phases of dressage – as an Olympian, rider, competitor, trainer, teacher, and judge. She knew firsthand the work, sacrifice, and struggle necessary to make it to the top of the dressage world. Through the creation of the Carol Lavell Advanced and Developing Prizes, she wanted to help other deserving riders who aspire to climb this high-performance mountain.
Information about The Dressage Foundation and the Carol Lavell Advanced and Developing Dressage Prizes can be found at www.dressagefoundation.org. Both applications are due is August 31st of each year. For more information on applying, please contact TDF’s Director of Grants and Programs, Sara Weiss, at (402) 434-8585 or sara@dressagefoundation.org.
The Dressage Foundation
The Dressage Foundation is a 501(c)(3), non-profit, tax-exempt, donor-driven organization that is dedicated to educating, supporting, and advancing the sport of dressage. The organization solicits contributions, appropriately allocates the donations, and awards grants to dressage riders, judges, instructors, breeders, high performance teams, nonprofit equestrian organizations, and more. For more information, please call (402) 434-8585 or visit www.dressagefoundation.org.
